Daphne's P.O.V.
The morning was cool and gray, a thin mist hanging over the family courtyard. Daphne stood before her parents, her carriage waiting just behind her. The air was thick with unspoken emotion. Her mother's face was a mask of sorrow, her eyes red from a sleepless night.
"I still don't understand this, child," her mother whispered, her voice trembling as she smoothed a stray hair from Daphne's forehead. "A lady should not be so far from home."
"A lady should be able to protect herself, Mother," Daphne replied, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest. She hugged her mother tightly, burying her face in her shoulders. "I will be back. I promise."
Her father, usually so stern and composed, placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Your grandfather, the Hermit Illawarra, is a difficult man, Daphne. But he is a good man. You write to us every day." His eyes, though filled with concern, held a new glint of pride. He was seeing the woman she was becoming, not just the child she had been.
"I will, Father," she said, her voice a little choked.
Her brothers stood beside their parents. Aidan, for once, was not smiling. He pulled her into a tight, fierce hug. "Don't go getting into too much trouble, you hear me? We'll be counting the days until you return."
Finn simply gave her a small, knowing smile. He handed her a wrapped package. Inside, Daphne found a new, sturdy travel cloak, expertly tailored and lined with thick wool. "Aidan and I had it made for you," he said quietly. "For the long journey ahead."
Daphne looked up to thank him, but her father spoke, his voice brooking no argument.
"Daphne, we have one final condition. The journey is too dangerous for a girl alone. We have arranged for a personal guard to accompany you."
Daphne's eyes widened in protest. "Father, no. I'm doing this to learn to protect myself. How can I do that with a guard by my side?"
"This is not a test, Daphne," her father said, his tone firm but gentle.
"It is a matter of safety. A true protector knows when to rely on allies. This is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom."
"He will stay with you until you are safely at your grandfather's manor, and you will not argue."
Before Daphne could reply, a man stepped out from behind a stone pillar. He was tall and lean, dressed in a simple, dark tunic. His expression was serious, his eyes sharp and observant. He gave a curt bow to her family and then to her.
"This is Kael, daughter. He is a man of few words, but a man of honor. He will see you to your destination, no matter the cost."
Daphne's shoulders slumped in reluctant defeat, but as she looked at her father's face, she saw not a commanding lord, but a worried parent. She nodded, accepting the new reality of her journey.
Tears streamed down Daphne's face, a mixture of profound love and overwhelming grief for the life she had almost lost. She hugged them one last time, clinging to the warmth of their embrace.
Just then, the outer gates opened. A lone rider on a warhorse galloped into the courtyard, the clang of metal echoing in the morning stillness. It was General Alaric. His face was a mask of cold, weary determination, his armor caked with the dust of battle. He dismounted with a practiced, fluid motion. He gave a curt nod to her mother, a polite but distant gesture. Then, his cold eyes met her father's.
"Lord Thomas... Lady Elizabeth" Alaric said, his voice flat, devoid of any warmth. "I apologize for the unannounced visit. I must speak with your son regarding a matter of national security."
"Of course, General." Her Father, Lord Thomas replied.
He didn't acknowledge Daphne. He didn't even glance in her direction, or so she thought. He simply stood there, a formidable figure of military authority, utterly consumed by his duty. He was here, at her home, but he was a stranger.
A tear rolled down Daphne's cheek, but this one was different. It wasn't just grief; it was a painful realization of the cruel irony of her situation. She was leaving to prepare for a fate tied to him, and he had come to her home, as a cold, distant stranger, at the precise moment she departed. The task of saving her family, and ultimately, him, suddenly felt so much harder.
With a deep breath, Daphne turned and climbed into the carriage. Kael followed her, mounting his horse without saying a word. As the driver flicked the reins, the carriage began to roll forward. Daphne looked out the window for one last glance at her family. The carriage rolled on, carrying her toward an uncertain future, yet one she was finally ready to face.
The carriage rolled on, carrying Daphne farther and farther from the life she knew.
Suddenly, the carriage lurched and came to a halt. The driver shouted something unintelligible from the front. Kael's hand was instantly on his sword hilt, his body coiled and ready. "Stay in the carriage," he commanded, his voice a low, hard rumble.
He exited the carriage and Daphne peered through the window. She saw him standing over a small, slumped figure huddled by the side of the road. Her heart pounded with a sudden dread. Kael knelt, and then, to Daphne's profound shock, he rose, pulling a familiar figure to her feet.
It was Elara, her handmaiden. Her dress was torn, her hair was a mess, and her face was streaked with dirt and tears. She looked exhausted, but her eyes, when she met Daphne's, were burning with a fierce, stubborn determination.
Kael led her to the carriage door and stepped aside. Elara threw herself into the carriage, collapsing onto the seat opposite Daphne. She was panting, her body trembling.
"Elara! What are you doing?" Daphne cried, a mixture of anger and relief in her voice. "You could have been killed! Why did you follow me?"
Elara took a deep, shuddering breath. "I-I couldn't let you go alone, my lady. I just... I couldn't." Tears welled in her eyes. "I know I am not a fighter, and I am a coward, but I had to come. I told my family I was going to visit my cousin, but instead... I followed your carriage." She looked down at her hands, shame and defiance warring on her face. "I had to."
Daphne's heart softened. The anger drained from her, replaced by a wave of overwhelming affection. This was the maid who had been her constant companion, the one who had worried over her and cared for her. She reached out and took Elara's hand.
"You foolish, foolish girl," Daphne said, her voice filled with a profound tenderness. "You know you are not a coward." She squeezed her maid's hand. "Thank you. You are the bravest person I know."
From outside the carriage, Kael's voice was a flat, emotionless drone. "Do we proceed, my lady? The sun is rising."
Daphne looked at Kael, then back at Elara. She saw her new reality: a professional guard who was a stranger and a loyal friend who was her family. She smiled.
"Yes, Kael," Daphne said, a newfound resolve in her tone. "We proceed."